1981 Lotus Eclat 2.2

[anonymous-user]

I tried driving along the M40 in rain today with the wiper switched off, and the car is so slinky that this is OK - it hardly needs a wiper at 70 mph.

[anonymous-user]

A decent looking early Excel at a sensible price -


https://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C912508

[Horsetan]

Breadvan72 said:

A decent looking early Excel at a sensible price -

https://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C912508

The colour shade is worth it for that price alone.

[Fastpedeller]

Horsetan said:

Breadvan72 said:

A decent looking early Excel at a sensible price -

https://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C912508

The colour shade is worth it for that price alone.

The advert and an online check says it's Eclat, as does the 'Owners Handbook' in one of the photos, however on the car it says Excel? (Or at least it looks like Excel, but the photos is fuzzy).

[anonymous-user]

All Excels are Eclats. Lotus did not obtain a new type approval. DVLA lists all Excels as Eclats, and early Excels were badged as Eclat Excels.

[12TS]

IIRC it's an Eclat Excel

[anonymous-user]

You can tell it's an Excel from the Supra wheels, the absence of a slope below the quarter light, the B pillar, and the steering wheel.

[12TS]

Breadvan72 said:

A decent looking early Excel at a sensible price -


https://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C912508

Doesn't have that wonderful 70s interior. However doesn't it have the Toyota engine? Head says one, heart the other.

[anonymous-user]

Eclat -



Excel -

[LanceRS]

12TS said:

Breadvan72 said:

A decent looking early Excel at a sensible price -


https://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C912508

Doesn't have that wonderful 70s interior. However doesn't it have the Toyota engine? Head says one, heart the other.

If my memory serves me well, it’s the gearbox that’s from Toyota. The engine should be just as Hethel intended.

[anonymous-user]

12TS said:

Breadvan72 said:

A decent looking early Excel at a sensible price -


https://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C912508

Doesn't have that wonderful 70s interior. However doesn't it have the Toyota engine? Head says one, heart the other.

No. Excels have Lotus 912 engines. Toyota supplied the gear box, brakes and other bits.

The early Excel interior is the same as the late Eclat interior.

The Excel later became wider and acquired a new interior.

Edited by anonymous-user on Saturday 18th November 22:21

[Horsetan]

Breadvan72 said:

I tried driving along the M40 in rain today with the wiper switched off, and the car is so slinky that this is OK - it hardly needs a wiper at 70 mph.

A liberal coating of Rain-X helps too.....

Breadvan72 said:

All Excels are Eclats. Lotus did not obtain a new type approval. DVLA lists all Excels as Eclats, and early Excels were badged as Eclat Excels.

I think that's as clear as mud.

[12TS]

Breadvan72 said:

I agree, but I wonder if the price is still a tad ambitious.

Not in case comparison with this

http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C933814

Interior is a bit marmite.

[anonymous-user]

Note also different door handles, and a change in the shape of the rear side windows. Spoilers are usual on Excels, but rare and in my case probably aftermarket on Eclats.

The Eclat started with the 907 engine , but ended with the 912. The 912 was upgraded part way through the Excel production run. It always had twin carbs. Lotus never fitted fuel injection.

[ivanhoew]

Breadvan72 said:

Eclat -



Excel -

Eclat looks much more Gerry Anderson .

[anonymous-user]

I agree, which is why I like them, although Excels are better cars. The main improvement is the brakes and electrics.

Frosty today -

[anonymous-user]

Lights up or lights down?

[Horsetan]

Breadvan72 said:

Lights up or lights down?

I believe I spotted your Eclat heading eastbound off the M40/A40 just after Denham Roundabout. Very distinctive at 3.30pm in the afternoon!

I was heading for the M25!

[anonymous-user]

That was indeed me. I was on my way from Oxfordshire to Belsize Park.

EDIT: Not me if not on the A40. I didn't go off at Denham - I was on the M40 and then A40 all the way in to Marylebone.

[Horsetan]

Breadvan72 said:

That was indeed me. I was on my way from Oxfordshire to Belsize Park.
....

I know it's sad, but I recognised the numberplate before I recognised the car.